Vondell Leon Willis, 78, of Ty Ty passed away Sunday, May 16, 2004, at his residence. His funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 18, 2004, at Salem Baptist Church in Tifton with the Rev. Hayward Tomlin and the Rev. Eddie Allen officiating Mr. Willis was laid to rest at Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Mr. Willis' grandsons, Steven Griffin, Richard Kennedy, Chad Morris, Patrick Willis, Chris Willis and Kurt Painter served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers were Glen Glover, James Glover, G. W. Moorman, Ford Spinks, Leonard Matthews and Brett Amburgey.
Born August 14, 1925, in Tift County, Mr. Willis was the son of the late Elias Willis and Velma Fitzsimmons Willis. He was also preceded in death by one daughter, Jenny; one brother; and three sisters. Before retiring, he was a maintenance technician with the Georgia Department of Transportation, Fourth Division; and he was a member of Salem Baptist Church in Tifton, as well as the Georgia Cattlemen's Association.
Mr. Willis loved his family, his church family and his friends. He enjoyed gospel sings and also enjoyed his cows as long as his health permitted.
Mr. Willis is survived by his wife, Sarah Glover Willis of Ty Ty; one daughter and son-in-law, Joyce and Ben Tyson of Tifton; five sons and three daughters-in-law, Jimmy Leon Willis of Fort Meyer, Virginia, Donald Willis of Brunswick, Royce and Gail Willis of Birmingham, Alabama, Jerry and Rhonda Willis of Omega and Stacy and Mary Willis of Perry; ten grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; nine step great-grandchildren; and one brother, J. E. Willis of Chula.
Memorial gifts may be made to Salem Baptist Church Building Fund, 1142 Salem Church Road, Tifton, GA 31793.